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Qualitative powder diffraction involves the identification of a phase or phases in a specimen by comparison with single-phase X-ray powder diffraction patterns compiled in a database called the Powder Diffraction File (PDF-2).

It can, therefore, be used to measure the crystalline content of materials; identify the crystalline phases present (including the quantification of mixtures in favourable cases); determine the spacing between lattice planes and the length scales over which they persist; and to study preferential ordering and epitaxial growth of crystallites.